450 Turn Out for Home for Troops

In the latest industry show of support for Iraq-Afghanistan veterans, an estimated 450 Missouri credit union managers, volunteers and employees turned out recently for a build-a-home project on behalf of a badly injured U.S. soldier.

The three-day effort, called the "Build Brigade," took place in Columbia and supported the Home for Our Troops charity. The CU crew and others helped construct a custom home for U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Canine, who is in a wheelchair after suffering severe injuries in Iraq in 2008.

Volunteers from Missouri Corporate and nine other CUs from across the state joined in bringing the home from a concrete foundation to a weather-tight structure that will be ready for occupancy later this summer, officials said.

In remarks following a procession through town, Canine paid tribute to the Missouri Credit Union Association and CUs elsewhere "for making this happen."

"This is unbelievable and I want to thank everybody for coming," said Canine, who was joined by state lawmakers as well as staffers representing Sen. Kit Bond, (R-Mo.)

Under a contract with the Massachusetts-based Homes for Our Troops, the MCUA has agreed to help raise $100,000 to fund Canine's home, and is working on building a home for another injured vet.